Waiting Till the Last Minute to do Your Taxes?

You had an extra weekend to buckle down, compile and submit your tax returns because of a holiday in the nation’s capital.

But now the the filing deadline to submit 2015 taxes looms.

Given three extra days -- the deadline is Monday, April 18, 2016, rather than the traditional April 15 date -- procrastinators are still enjoying the beautiful weather.

There are fewer procrastinators these days -- the IRS says that only about 20-25 percent of people file at the last minute.

If you are one of them, you can still get help. The New York Tax Call Center will be open Monday for questions, from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Just dial 518-457-5181.

(If you're not, you can go here to: Check refund status.)

You can request a Filing Extension. For taxpayers who cannot meet the April 18 deadline, requesting a filing extension is easy and will prevent late filing penalties. Either use Free File or Form 4868.

But keep in mind that while an extension grants additional time to file, tax payments are still due April 18. A number of e-payment options are available. Or send a check or money order payable to the “United States Treasury.”

Last-Minute Filing Tips

File electronically. Filing electronically, whether through e-file or IRS Free File, vastly reduces tax return errors, as the tax software does the calculations, flags common errors and prompts taxpayers for missing information. And best of all, there is a free option for everyone.

Mail a paper return to the right address. Paper filers should check the appropriate mailing address in IRS.gov or their form instructions to avoid processing delays.

Take a close look at the tax tables. When figuring tax using the tax tables, taxpayers should be sure to use the correct column for the filing status claimed.

Fill in all requested information clearly. When entering information on the tax return, including Social Security numbers, take the time to be sure it is correct and easy to read. Also, check only one filing status and the appropriate exemption boxes.

Get the right routing and account numbers.Requesting direct deposit of a federal refund into one, two or even three accounts is convenient and allows the taxpayer access to his or her money faster. Make sure the financial institution routing and account numbers entered on the return are accurate. Incorrect numbers can cause a refund to be delayed or deposited into the wrong account.

Speedy Refunds Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds remains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund. The IRS says it will likely issue more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

If you are just beginning to do the work, the IRS has these tips to help you.

• Gather your records. Make sure you have all your tax records. This includes receipts, canceled checks and other records that support income, deductions or tax credits that you claim. If you purchased health insurance through the Marketplace, you will need the information in Form 1095-A to file.
• Report all your income. You will need to report your income from all of your Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, Forms 1099 and any other income – even if you don’t receive a statement – when you file your tax return.
• Use Direct Deposit. The fastest and safest way to get your refund is to combine e-file with direct deposit. The IRS issues more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.
• Review your return. Mistakes slow down your tax refund. If you file a paper return, be sure to check all Social Security numbers. That’s one of the most common errors.
• Visit IRS.gov. The website has forms and other info you need to file your tax return. Click on the "Filing" icon for links to filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions and IRS forms and publications. The IRS has many online tools on IRS.gov to help you file and answer your tax questions. The tool gives the same answers that an IRS representative would give over the phone.